Environmental enrichment programmes in zoos reduce stereotypic behaviours, improve physical health, and give animals greater control over their environment.
Enrichment is not simply placing objects in an enclosure — it is a systematic approach to meeting the behavioural and cognitive needs of captive animals. Effective enrichment builds on knowledge of wild behaviour: what does this species spend its time doing, and how can captive environments allow those behaviours? Food-based enrichment that requires problem-solving addresses both nutritional delivery and cognitive engagement simultaneously. Social enrichment — species-appropriate group housing — is often the most impactful intervention. Critically, enrichment must be evaluated: animals who ignore provided enrichment are giving important information about its suitability.